Submitted by –

Neha Mishra
M.arch(2nd yr.)
A1988517006
Que.1. Categories of Construction and Demolition waste and state whether it is hazardous
or non-hazardous?
Ans.
1. Insulation and asbestos materials:

Waste type Waste status

Insulation containing asbestos Hazardous

Other insulation containing hazardous substances Hazardous

Other insulation materials Non-hazardous

Other construction materials containing asbestos Hazardous

2. Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics:

Waste type Waste status

Concrete Non-
hazardous

Bricks Non-
hazardous

Tiles and ceramics Non-

hazardous

Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics (alone or in mixtures) containing Hazardous

hazardous substances

Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics in mixtures, containing no hazardous Non-

substances hazardous

3. Wood, glass and plastic:

Waste type Waste status

Wood - untreated Non-hazardous

Glass - uncontaminated Non-hazardous

 Plastic - excludes packaging waste Non-hazardous

Treated wood, glass, plastic (alone or in mixtures) containing hazardous Hazardous

substances

4. Bituminous mixtures, coal tar and tar:

Waste type Waste status

Bituminous mixtures containing coal tar Hazardous

Other bituminous mixtures Non-hazardous

Coal tar and tarred products Hazardous

5. Metallic waste, including cable:

Waste type Waste status

Copper, bronze and brass Non-hazardous

Aluminium Non-hazardous

Lead Non-hazardous

Iron and steel Non-hazardous

Tin Non-hazardous

Mixed metals Non-hazardous

Metals containing hazardous substances Hazardous

Cables containing oil, coal tar and other hazardous substances Hazardous

Other cables Non-hazardous

6. Soil, contaminated soil, stones and dredging spoil:

Waste type Waste status

Soil and stones containing hazardous substances Hazardous

Waste type Waste status

Other soil and stones Non-hazardous

Dredging spoil containing hazardous substances Hazardous

Other dredging spoil Non-hazardous

7. Gypsum:

Waste type Waste status

Gypsum materials containing hazardous substances Hazardous

Other gypsum materials Non-hazardous

8. Cement:
Waste type Waste status

Un-used or un-set cement Hazardous

9. Paints and varnishes:

Waste type Waste
status

Containing organic solvents or other hazardous Hazardous

substances

Not containing organic solvents or other Non-

hazardous substances hazardous

Paint or varnish remover Hazardous

Paint cans Hazardous

 10. Adhesives and sealants:
Waste type Waste status

Containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances Hazardous

Not containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances Non-hazardous

Adhesive or sealant containers Hazardous

Que.2. The problems and needs to reduce Construction & Demolition waste.
Ans. Construction wastes have become a pressing issue in many developing countries and have
adverse effects on environment, economy and social aspects. Illegal dumping is a common
issue created from the physical construction waste and besides that non-physical waste like
cost and time overruns are not properly addressed among the construction players. This paper
explores the impacts of construction on sustainable construction and contributing causes which
will help the practitioners to formulate ways in avoiding or reducing the waste. It also
highlights the sustainable approach in managing the construction waste as practice.

Sustainable Waste Management Hierarchy

Construction industry plays a key role in socio-economic
development of any country.

Nowadays construction industry
is rapidly growing because of increase in standard of
living,
demands of infrastructure projects, changes in consumption
habits, as well as
natural increase in population. This growth
has contributed significantly in waste
generation which has become serious problem for every nation. Several
researchers
and practitioners indicate that waste emanates
during planning, design, procurement,
and construction stage. The waste also influences economical dynamics of
society and
also has an important effect on the environment
and surroundings .The waste can be
divided into two categories: Physical and non-physical waste.
Physical waste is generated in the form of material loss. It contributes to a significant
part of landfill. Studies show that construction industry produces large amount of waste
and more than 50% of waste material is deposited in landfill , almost 26% of landfill
occupied with construction waste.

Construction waste is a prominent issue globally and has adverse effect on overall
performance of a project as well as the society and nature. Waste can be generated in
various forms.

A. Materials waste as a physical construction waste:

The major physical waste generated from construction activity is identified in
the form of material waste like concrete leftover, demolished debris, steel scrap
and others
B. Cost and time overrun as non-physical waste:
Construction industries are extremely concerned about time and costs of the
project. Most of these projects are having dilemma in cost and time overrun
globally. The non-physical waste normally occurs during the construction
process. In contrast to the material waste, non-physical waste occurs when
materials are not physically lost but money and time overrun can lead to failure
for the majority projects.

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT :

Construction waste is a global issue which needs serious attention. One of the effective
ways to control construction waste is adoption of sustainable construction principles as
sustainable construction does not focus on only environmental issues but also on
economic and social aspects.

Various steps of sustainable waste management are following:

A. Prevention : Prevention is also referred as to avoid, which is the best way to manage
waste. This is the highest levels in the need for sustainability.

B. Minimization : Minimization or reduction was ranked in the second most preferable

way in managing the construction waste. Thus, reducing factors of waste generation
could help out in the construction industry. These steps reduce destruction on
environment and reduce construction cost. Moreover, minimize from beginning of
projects will be reduce resources usage and reduce transportation works. Hence,
minimization talent needs to embark and practice for reducing the waste at source of
generation.

C. Reuse : In spite of the two steps lower than prevention and minimization, most
countries used this approach to reduce construction waste at site before disposing them
to landfills. In Germany, a very advanced waste handling technology was developed to
reuse construction materials. The technology used by Siemens Company is a three step
process which includes drying, distillation and burning of waste technique to enable the
waste material to be reused.
D. Recycle : Recycling of waste is placed fourth in the waste management hierarchy.
Some developed countries such as Germany and Hong Kong obtain these steps to
reduce disposal waste in landfills. In Germany, the government supported the recycle
activity very well. Study on raw material of light weight concrete shows commitment
of the country in sustainability. Moreover the country is committed to collect a million
tons of glass every year for recycling purpose. This shows the country is fully geared to
become a green nation

E. Recovery : In the hierarchy of construction waste management, recovery ranked fifth

in its priority. Recovery which is defined as the removal of materials or components
from the waste stream in a manner to keep its original form for reuse in the similar form
as it was produced . With recovery, the volume of waste ending up in a landfill can be
reduced. In Germany, the incineration technology has assisted the recovery of metal
waste. This recovery tools, will cut off until 2 to 3 kilogram harmful heavy metal in 1
ton waste after distillation and burning process. Thus, this method resolved the problem
effectively from taken space to the landfill. Moreover, gas produced during the handling
process is used to generate electricity.

F. Disposal : Disposal is the last option and can be labelled as the lowest criterion
towards achieving sustainability in waste management. However many countries
dispose their construction waste in landfills. For example in Malaysia, the Department
of National Solid Waste Management revealed that about 289 landfills are exists in the
country.